Tribute to Old Friends

[Anonymous]

Tom Paris smiles blandly at his two friends.

"Oh get over yourself, Fly Boy." B'Elanna Torres snorts
disgustedly---an obviously feigned expression---using her
occasional nickname for the pilot. "We were just worried
you'd strain yourself too hard, so we went *easy* on you."

Lieutenant Paris's eyes widen in disbelief and he shakes his
head in mock-outrage. "Losers shouldn't insult accomplished
pool players like me, B'Elanna."

"Oh please, Tom..." Ensign Kim rolls his eyes. "It wasn't
*that* bad. We're getting better, you know that."

"No." I shake my head, my eyes looking into hers. "Sometimes
I learn the hard way as well. Sometimes I can be the most
hardheaded person you'll ever find. But experience has
taught me that you should *always* look for the bright
side---always keep an open mind. For when you do that---hope
finds you itself."

"Isn't that an excessively optimistic approach, Commander?"
There's a slight quirk to her lips.

"Oh." I stare deep into her eyes, my own eyes soft. "But I
*thrive* on optimism, Seven."

"I am beginning to see that." She returns my gaze, her eyes
twinkling. With a nod and a slight smile on her lips, she
moves out to stand at the edge of the greenery, next to a
tall palm tree. The sun is peeking from behind the clouds,
still not completely out but somehow brighter now---its rays
washing everything in its luminescent brilliance. I look
over the view, my eyes travelling over the dry terrain,
watching as a flock of birds flies towards some distant
abode, and then my gaze rests on my companion.

Her face turned towards the sparkling spring in the middle
of the oasis, her fingers play with a drooping leaf of the
palm, as my eyes travel from her bare feet up to her
graceful, arching profile, to rest on her golden mane. The
sunlight lingers in her hair, making them sparkle under the
shade of the palm, turning them alive all of a
sudden---their suddenly overwhelming luster turning my mouth
dry again.

She notices my eyes on her and turns her face to look at me,
and we're caught in each other's gazes---her eyes a
beautiful, shimmering hue of blue unlike any I'd ever seen
before. My heart filling with that same wild giddiness, I
find myself walking to her in a daze---suddenly seized by
the desire to sink my fingers into her hair.

She looks at me, her eyes wide, as I reach her side---that
same now-familiar flush heating her beautiful face.

"May I?" I ask her, my voice suddenly hoarse, as my hand
reaches up to touch the line of her hair pulled back from
her face.

She nods, her throat convulsing, her breathing uneven.

My fingers slowly map the terrain with their pads as I
stroke her bound hair with that one hand, until they reach
the pin that clasps her hair into that bun. With a gentle
tug, I pull it out and her hair loosens, falling into
beautiful wavy strands around her face. I feel my breath
catch in my throat as the sunrays fall on her silky tresses,
making them glitter like threads made of gold---turning her
exquisitely beautiful to me.

My heart hammering loudly in my ears, my fingers running
through her golden hair, I gently pull her close, lower my
mouth and press my lips to hers. I feel her stiffen against
me for a second and then my hand is travelling down to the
middle of her back, tenderly rubbing away her fears, my
fingers gentle in their touch---and with a soft sigh, she
comes closer, her own trembling hands coming around my
shoulders. As I trace her soft lips with mine, I feel the
heated vibrations of her moan reverberating against my skin,
her taste infinitely sweet against my mouth, and with a sigh
I let her mouth go, leaning back to look at her face.

Her eyes are closed, her face burning with that beautiful
crimson shade, as her breaths come out of her parted lips in
small panting gasps---the stunning sight of her making my
heart thud against my ribcage. And then she opens her eyes
and I am lost in the depths of her soul. I cradle her heated
face in my palms, my fingers rubbing her flaming cheeks, as
her hands tighten around my shoulders.


"A piece of work indeed," I whisper, my eyes glazed, as a
sudden smile tugs at the corners of my mouth.

A small frown appears between her brows. "Explain." She
looks confused.

So I lower my lips to claim her mouth once more, my smile
widening against her pliant mouth. This time, her lips part
against mine and I hear myself moan as I finally taste the
sweetness of her mouth, my tongue plunging inside to drink
at her lush tang. Her hands are moving down my back now, her
lips moving against mine, urgent in their need, and I press
her closer to me, my hands moving in her hair, threading
through the silky strands and my mouth slants against hers
to kiss her harder.

As we hold each other close under the shade of the palm
tree, her strong slender body pressing against mine, her
arms tighten around me and I feel a lightness invade my
heart.

That yawning gap in my thoughts, that fissure that had felt
as if it had shattered my soul only a few days back, no
longer exists. In its place, is a sweet tenderness---that I
had never thought I'd find again.

There's hope after all in the midst of all desolation.

My reason is found again.

[Anonymous]

*snicker*

[Sean Tudor]

Every Trekker/Trekkies fantasy ... sex with Seven Of Nine.